News

Articles

As part of NASCAR RACE TO GREEN™ and the NASCAR Green Clean Air Tree Planting Program Delivered by UPS™, NASCAR, International Speedway Corporation and Daytona International Speedway employees partnered together to plant 70 trees at the Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Cultural and Educational Center on Wednesday morning.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.— As part of NASCAR RACE TO GREEN™ and the NASCAR Green Clean Air Tree Planting Program Delivered by UPS™, NASCAR, International Speedway Corporation and Daytona International Speedway employees partnered together to plant 70 trees at the Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Cultural and Educational Center on Wednesday morning.

NASCAR Green Clean Air is a unique program that plants 10 trees for each Green Flag that drops during races, capturing 100 percent of the carbon produced by the on track racing at the events. As a result of the seven green flags during the 55th annual Daytona 500 in February, 70 trees were planted at the Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Cultural and Education Center in Daytona Beach.

Approximately 50 employees participated in planting of the cypress trees, which were purchased from a local nursery.

UPS is also supplying an additional 90 trees through the Arbor Day Foundation that will go back in the local community through Habitat for Humanity and the Volusia County School Board.

The stars of NASCAR return to Daytona International Speedway on July 5-6. Tickets to the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and the Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series race are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter (@NASCAR) and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #NASCAR and #COKEZERO400. Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Instagram and Pinterest for the latest news all season long.

Two-time Daytona 500 champion Jimmie Johnson visited the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee on Tuesday and received a proclamation honoring him for his victory in the 2013 edition of “The Great American Race” in February at Daytona International Speedway.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Two-time Daytona 500 champion Jimmie Johnson visited the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee on Tuesday and received a proclamation honoring him for his victory in the 2013 edition of “The Great American Race” in February at Daytona International Speedway.

In addition to giving remarks to the House, Johnson visited with Governor Rick Scott and members of both the House and Senate.

Two-time Daytona 500 champion Jimmie Johnson’s remarks on the floor of the House:

“It’s very, very cool and thank you all very much for your time and for this great acknowledgement. A lot has gone on since ’75 when I was born. I grew up racing motorcycles in Southern California and watched a little bit of stock car racing from afar on television. I knew that I’d have to move from the West Coast at some point and wanted to race and certainly wanted to race in the Daytona 500. To have it all come full circle, to accomplish the great things on the race track and certainly off the race track with the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. I’m starting my own family, which I’m very proud of as well. I have a two-year-old daughter and a second little girl on the way. It’s been a lot going on and a very busy period of my life. I’m very proud of all that’s going on. I’m grateful for the opportunity. Moments like today really wake me up and realize that I’m not just driving in circles out there. Thank you all very much.

“If I may expand a minute on Daytona, as a young driver and a fan of the sport, there’s nothing better than the Daytona 500 and that Speedway and the history that Speedway holds. Not only for stock car racing but the other forms of motorsports that compete there. Any driver in the world, any race team in the world and any race fan knows that race track. To have won there twice is a huge honor. I’ve tried a few times to win the Rolex 24 race and come up short. I hope to attend that one again and stand on top of the podium box one of these days. It’s a very special day and I’m happy to be in Florida and thankful to receive this great honor.”

The stars of NASCAR return to Daytona International Speedway on July 5-6. Tickets to the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and the Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series race are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter (@NASCAR) and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #NASCAR and #COKEZERO400. Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest for the latest news all season long.

Apr 17 | Nine Teams Take Part in Two-Day Goodyear Tire Test

SHARE

Nine teams shook down tires for Goodyear on Tuesday and Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway ahead of the 55th annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, July 6.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Nine teams shook down tires for Goodyear on Tuesday and Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway ahead of the 55th annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, July 6.

Drivers turned laps under the lights on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. while Wednesday’s session was during the daytime.

“Goodyear is looking for different compounds and different sidewall constructions and continue to learn about this race track and these cars and tires,” said Biffle, who won the Coke Zero 400 back in 2003. “That’s why we’re here is to help Goodyear and it gives us a chance to learn some stuff, get some data, try a few things to get ready for the summer race.”

Patrick, driving the No. 10 Chevrolet for Stewart Haas Racing, is coming off a successful Budweiser Speedweeks. She became the first woman to win a pole for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race during Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger. She followed that pole-winning run with an eighth-place finish in the Daytona 500.

She hopes to carry the momentum from Budweiser Speedweeks into the 55th annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola on Saturday, July 6.

“It would be great to qualify on the pole again,” Patrick said. “It would be great to run up front and hopefully through testing today and getting ready for the Coke Zero 400 in July, I will be more prepared for the end of the race.”

Patrick expects the racing excitement at the “World Center of Racing” to continue to improve for the 160-lap, 400-mile race under the lights.

“I feel like you’ll see an even more exciting race in the summer just because it will be hotter, maybe a little bit more slippery,” Patrick said. “Maybe we will actually get uncomfortable out there and everybody got a feel for the way this (new) car performs in a pack (in February).

“I found myself trying some things out there in practice just to get a better feel for when you take chances. I wasn’t really in position to take chances in the race (in February). Doing it out there in practice is good. Everybody is going to learn and it will make the racing better.”

The Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola kicks off with the Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Friday, July 5. The stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series take center stage with the 55th annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola on Saturday, July 6.

Tickets for all the events that are part of the Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola Weekend At Daytona are available online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest for the latest news all season long.

Apr 11 | Daytona Beach Half Marathon Returns to Budweiser Speedweeks

SHARE

The Daytona Beach Half Marathon returns to the Budweiser Speedweeks lineup in 2014.

DAYTONA BEACH – The Daytona Beach Half Marathon returns to the Budweiser Speedweeks lineup in 2014. Scheduled for Sunday, February 16, the sixth annual Daytona Beach Half Marathon, hosted by Volusia County, Daytona International Speedway and the Central Florida Sports Commission will take place one week before the 56th annual “The Great American Race” – the Daytona 500.

Registration will open on Wednesday, April 17, with the advanced entry fee for the Daytona Beach Half Marathon set at $85 per person. The half marathon will start at 6:30 am, just hours after The Sprint Unlimited At Daytona finishes up under the lights on Saturday night, and lead into DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger on Sunday afternoon.

The integration of the race into Budweiser Speedweeks, once again allows organizers to further incorporate the racing theme into the already unique event. In addition, it enables many from the NASCAR community to participate. Included in the nearly 1,400 runners that registered for the 2013 event were four NASCAR drivers (Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Michael Waltrip and Aric Almirola) and more than a dozen other team members.

“We’re looking forward to the return of the Daytona Beach Half Marathon during Budweiser Speedweeks 2014,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “From the Speedway to the Beach, the community provided a memorable backdrop for all the runners who participated.”

The Daytona Beach Half Marathon’s route, named one of the seven most scenic half marathons in America by Active.com, features one of the most unique courses in the running world. With the legendary pavement and historic grandstands of Daytona International Speedway serving as the backdrop, runners will start on pit road and run the first two miles on the track. The course then winds through the streets of Daytona Beach, finally reaching “The World’s Most Famous Beach” at approximately the 7.1 mile mark. Runners will then run on the beach for approximately two-tenths of a mile, getting an unobstructed view of the ocean as the sun rises on the beautiful horizon. Returning to the roads of Daytona Beach, runners then head back to the Speedway for the finish and a trip to Gatorade Victory Lane.

"We are really excited about the 2014 Daytona Beach Half Marathon and believe it will be even bigger than ever," said Volusia County Manager Jim Dinneen. "Last year, we added new features like running on a stretch on the beach while the sun is rising, and we incorporated car racing themes throughout the route, which really connected the runners not only to our great history but the diversity and beauty of our area."

New for 2014, race organizers will also incorporate a shorter distance race, as well as a Kids Race into the half marathon race weekend. Details associated with the additional race and Kids Race, including distance, dates, times and registration information, will be released in the coming months.

“The Daytona Beach Half Marathon provides a participant experience that is unparalleled anywhere in the running world,” said John Bisignano, Central Florida Sports Commission President/CEO. “The complete NASCAR experience, merged with the beauty of Daytona Beach, makes this a destination event that you will not want to miss. We expect the 2014 race weekend to draw more than 4,500 participants and spectators, driving nearly 1,000 room nights and over $900,000 of economic impact for Volusia County.”

Each half marathon participant will receive a race-themed tech shirt, finisher’s medal, post-race party, personalized race bib, and a ticket to DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger. Included in the DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger ticket is access to Sprint FANZONE which provides an up-close look at the NASCAR garages and inspection areas as teams prepare for the race. Photo opportunities with race cars and other NASCAR-related items will be available before, during and after the race. The half marathon is open to runners and walkers, at least 12 years of age or older, who can complete the course in less than 3 hours and 30 minutes.

For more information about the Daytona Beach Half Marathon, visit www.daytonabeachhalf.com. For real time updates like the race on Facebook @Daytona Beach Half Marathon or follow on twitter @daytonahalf.

About CFSC: The Central Florida Sports Commission strategically solicits, creates and supports marquee sports-related events and businesses that enhance our community’s economy. The Sports Commission represents the counties of Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia, as well as the City of Orlando. The Sports Commission also produces sports-related programs for the residents of Central Florida including the Celebrity Mascot Games, the SPORTYS, Breakfast of Champions and the Daytona Beach Half Marathon. For more information, please visit www.centralfloridasports.org.

The stars of NASCAR return to Daytona International Speedway on July 5-6, 2013. Tickets to the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and the Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series race are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.